Don't Save Me

Chapter 5

"This is completely insane."

Breathless, El' distanced herself from Takemichi. Memories from a life that wasn't hers resurfaced.

"It can't be true. Impossible."

Yet, the girl in the vision was indeed her. She was a more depressed, lonelier version, but El' couldn't be mistaken about her appearance and way of thinking. No one knew her better than herself.

"I can explain everything," Takemichi attempted, taking a step towards her.

El' stepped back. She didn't want to hear it; it had to be a nightmare. She would wake up. Or maybe she had just taken a blow to the head earlier. She must be hallucinating.

"I'll join the guys, get on my bike, go home, and forget all of this. If you come near me, I'll kill you."

The threat was a bit violent, but she couldn't control the panic rising within her. Something was wrong, she knew it. She shoved her hands into her pockets, which couldn't stop trembling. Her heart was beating faster than usual, and her head felt heavier than a stone.

Without giving him time to respond, she turned her back on him and headed towards the exit of the alley. At this distance, she heard him following, maintaining a distance between them.

"Good. He understood."

They walked like that until they reached the parking lot where the battle had taken place. It was now deserted, except for their friends waiting. Usually, she would have joined them. But now, her mind was empty, except for one thought: she wanted to be alone.

In fact, she needed it.

Her eyes easily found her motorcycle, parked at the other end of the parking lot. Without taking her eyes off it, and without slowing down, she walked briskly towards it. Her goal was so clearly defined that everything else was blurry around her.

Soon, she could feel the wind in her hair. Soon, she could clear her head with speed. Soon, she could rev the engine. Soon, she...

A hand grabbed her arm. Surprised, she yelped and pulled away sharply.

"El'?"

Mikey's worried and questioning gaze appeared in her vision. Behind him, the others had also approached, looking concerned.

"I'm fine. I'll just take my bike and go for a ride."

The guys frowned, exchanging glances. They weren't fooled; they had known El' for a long time. For Baji and Mikey, she was their childhood friend.

"What did this Hanagaki do?" Kazutora exclaimed, advancing threateningly towards him.

This panicked Takemichi. He tried to step back and explain:

"N-Nothing, I assure you. Nothing happened..."

"Because something was supposed to happen?" Draken continued.

Sweat started to pour from the poor young man's forehead.

"No, of course not, I just..."

"I'm going to kill him," Smiley announced, with his usual smile.

Takemichi was now surrounded by the members of Toman. El' sighed. How had the situation escalated so quickly?

"I suggest we listen to him before accusing him," Mitsuya proposed, ever diplomatic.

"We're not in a courtroom, Goldilocks," Baji mocked.

"Actually, my hair is silver..."

She ran a hand over her forehead. Good grief, being the only girl in a gang of guys was annoying. Even as the head of the brigade, they continued to overprotect her. She didn't have an older brother, but she imagined they must be the equivalent.